In Sermon Illustrations: "2 Peter 4"

Look Different

Contributed by John Bright on Sep 23, 2025

These folks to whom Peter is writing used to look like everybody else. They were a part of the world, so they partied and did all the other things average folks did back then. The Roman world in which Christianity first spread was highly sexualized, and many of the practices today that are ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:3-4

Tags: Roman World, Change, Sexuality, Gender

Denomination: Methodist

Benefits Of Humble Leadership

Contributed by John Bright on Oct 3, 2025

Earlier this year, Forbes magazine published an article that highlighted the leadership style of Dwight D. Eisenhower, who led the Allied forces to victory in World War II and served two terms as President of the United States. He was known for his humility. “Eisenhower’s humility was evident ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-5

Tags: Humility, Leadership, Dwight D Eisenhower

Denomination: Methodist

Stuck In A Rut

Contributed by David Dunn on Nov 14, 2025

The U.S. standard railroad gauge—the width between the rails—is 4 feet, 8 ½ inches. Strange number, isn’t it? You’d think something so crucial would be more logical. So why that width? Because American railroads were built by British expatriates, and that’s how they did it in England. Why ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:2, 1 Peter 1:18-19

Tags: Tradition, Transformation

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Factor In Fallenness

Contributed by John Bright on Mar 1, 2025

A few years ago, our congregation joined with many churches in the area praying for a 6-year-old boy with extremely aggressive form of brain cancer. Of course, we prayed for a full healing so that the boy could have a long life. He died within 6 months. His parents grew in their faith of a God ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:4, 1 Peter 3:17

Tags: Healing, Prayer, Suffering, Fallenness

Denomination: Methodist

Ten Rules For Improving The Church

Contributed by David Parks on Jun 3, 2022

TEN RULES FOR IMPROVING THE CHURCH 1. Tell yourself over and over that since you are not perfect you would not fit into a perfect congregation, if one existed. 2. Instead of picking out the worldly members to point to, pick out the sincere, dedicated, spiritual members and thank God for them. You ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-2, 1 Peter 4:8, Matthew 7:1-5

Tags: Encouragement, Judgementalism, Church

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Standard Of Comparison  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 27, 2012

STANDARD OF COMPARISON Michael Green, in his book Illustrations for Biblical Preaching, shares a good lesson which I think is appropriate for beginning our message this evening. He states: All of us frequently compare ourselves favorably with someone else. We all think of someone whom we ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-16, Exodus 7:8-23

Tags: Holiness

[190]. A Message From A Poem – My Prayer (Parts From Psalm 119)

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 6, 2025

[190]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – MY PRAYER (PARTS FROM PSALM 119) Christians regard the bible as the inspired word of God and as the sole rule for faith and doctrine. That makes the bible the most important resource available to us. It is a most treasured possession. There are many references ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:103, Psalm 119:89, Psalm 119:9, Psalm 119:18, 2 Peter 1:21, 2 Timothy 3:16-17  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Word, The Word Of God, The Bible, Statutes, Ordinances, Your Word, Law, Prayer, Treasure, Precepts, Testimonies  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Is Doctrine?

Contributed by John Bright on Feb 25, 2025

What is doctrine? “The word translated “doctrine” means “instruction, especially as it applies to lifestyle application.” In other words, doctrine is teaching imparted by an authoritative source. In the Bible, the word always refers to spiritually related fields of study. The Bible says of itself ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Timothy 4:16

Tags: Belief, Doctrine, Instruction

Denomination: Methodist

Despair  PRO

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 22, 2001

DESPAIR During the Thirty Years’ War in the 17th century, German pastor Paul Gerhardt and his family were forced to flee from their home. One night as they stayed in a small village inn, homeless and afraid, his wife broke down and cried openly in despair. To comfort her, Gerhardt reminded her of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:7-9, 1 Peter 1:17-18, Matthew 28:1-4

Tags: Promises Of God, Wait, God's Provision

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God's Judgement

Contributed by John Bright on Sep 23, 2025

I don’t believe that God’s Judgement should be our main focus, but I also believe it’s wrong to never mention the Judgement of God. Remember, God must judge humanity because “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) Our God is a Holy God who also wants us to be holy. (1 ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:5, Romans 3:23, 1 Peter 1:16

Tags: Grace, Holy Spirit, Judgment, Holiness

Denomination: Methodist

The Judgment Seat Of Christ - 10 Things To Know

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 2, 2023

In Paul's day, every city in Greece built a public place called the Bema, or “judgment seat”. It was from this raised platform, usually in the center of town, that official announcements were made, judgments rendered and commendations handed out. All public proclamations came from this Bema ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:1-10

Tags: Judgment, Judgment Seat, Rewards, Bema, Resurrection, Heaven, Faithfulness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Lessons From The Pothole

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Mar 21, 2023

Driving to work the other day I hit a pothole and, like most people, I reacted angrily. “Why can’t they do something about this?” I mumbled under my breathe. But this time instead of complaining I thought maybe I could learn a lesson or two from the pothole. Here’s what I learned: Pothole Lesson ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4, Hebrews 12:11, 1 Peter 4:12, 1 Peter 1:6

Tags: Trouble, Pain, Proverbs, Persecution, Wisdom, Suffering, Difficulties  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Lost Sheep—communion Meditation  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 25, 2004

THE LOST SHEEP- COMMUNION MEDITATION Have you heard the story of Shrek, the merino sheep that had evaded capture and shearing for 6 years? When he was finally discovered in his high mountain cave of New Zealand by musterer Ann Scanlan, he was almost unrecognizable as a sheep. The first thing his ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-10, 1 Peter 2:24-25

Tags: Lord's Supper, Parable Lost Sheep

Speed Limit

Contributed by John Bright on Feb 13, 2025

Let’s talk about following the speed limit. Why not? Maybe you don’t like being told what to do? That’s the definition of rebellion. Maybe you know better than everyone else. If so, those closest to you suffer the most! The starting point is safety. I have some family members that refuse to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:15-16, Exodus 21:5-6

Tags: Submission, Rebellion, Speed Limit, Bond Servant

Denomination: Methodist

The Amazing Accuracy Of Scripture

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Dec 28, 2020

Professor Emeritus of Science at Westmon College, Peter Stoner, has calculated the probability of one man fulfilling the major prophecies made concerning the Messiah. The estimates were worked out by twelve different classes of 600 college students. The students carefully weighed all the factors, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 4:1-3

Tags: Inspiration Of The Bible, Bible, Messiah, Word Of God, Inerrancy, Prophecies Fulfilled  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Built Out Of Junk

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 8, 2011

BUILT OUT OF JUNK Did you hear about the homeless man in Brazil who built his own car out of junk? Orismar de Souza is a homeless man in Brazil who decided to build the car using junk, spare parts and a hammer and chisel. Four years later, the "shrimpmobile" has him back on his feet. Souza, 35, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

Tags: Born Again

God's Miracle Book

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 4, 2021

The Bible is referred to in many different ways. We speak of it as God's Word, the Good Book, the Holy Scriptures, and the Sword of the Spirit. It is also known as the Book of books and the Living Word. Some call it simply THE Book, for nothing else seems necessary. It stands alone, towering ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 4:1-3

Tags: Bible, Scripture, Miracles, Inerrancy, Inspiration Of The Bible  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[192]. Message From A Poem – No Contradiction Found Here

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 8, 2025

[192]. MESSAGE FROM A POEM – NO CONTRADICTION FOUND HERE I am not sure if I should explain each of these or let you work them out for yourselves. I was going to explain what seems to be contradictions, then I changed my mind. I will decide on that tomorrow! Well, I have decided to let you ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:10, John 3:7, 1 Peter 1:3, Titus 2:13

Tags: The Blessed Hope, Paradoxes, Contradictions, Christian Poems, Born Again  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Never Give Up  PRO

Contributed by Mark Stepherson on Oct 27, 2011

NEVER GIVE UP Have you seen that cartoon with the pelican having a frog for dinner? His dinner is not agreeing with him. The frog’s head, shoulders, and most of his body are in the pelican’s beak. His back legs are outside, kicking for all they’re worth. His front legs stick out from both sides ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8, 1 Peter 1:6-7, Luke 11:5-13

Tags: Perseverance, Prayer, Prayer Persistence

Denomination: Baptist

Tricia Mccary Rhodes Stated, "When He Delivers Us ...  PRO

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Mar 27, 2002

TRICIA MCCARY RHODES stated, ”When He delivers us from sin’s dark cell, an amazing thing happens: Our eyes are unveiled to see what we were created for, what we’ve longed for without knowing it. “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:6

Tags: Faith General

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational